Stroll for cancer benefit

The seventh annual Newport Beach Relay for Life will bring close to 1,000 volunteers to the Newport Harbor High School’s track this weekend, as residents whose lives have been affected by cancer raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Volunteers have already raised about $165,000 — just $10,000 short of their goal — and expect to raise a lot more at the event.

“In past years, we’ve never come this close to our goal before the event,” organizer Peggy Fort said. “A great deal of the fundraising takes place at the relay itself.”

Organizers will also hold a silent auction — offering such items as an autographed Tony Hawk skateboard and an electric guitar signed by surf music legend Dick Dale — and sell tickets to a dinner cruise at $50 a pop, though most of the funding will come from runners and their sponsors.

For more information or to make a donation, visit: www.events.cancer.org/rflnewportbeachca

CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at [email protected].